The Department of Nursing Science is a collaboration with Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing. The Department of Nursing Science emphasizes the reciprocation among research, clinical practice, and teaching based on the belief that clinical practice advises research, research advises clinical practice, and both research and clinical practice advise teaching. The department's commitment to the preparation of the next generation of nurse scientists is reflected in the strong research emphasis of the PhD program in the science of nursing.
The goal of the PhD program is to educate nurse scientists who want to become independent nurse researchers. Students bring a unique combination of nursing knowledge and clinical experiences to doctoral study, and these serve as the basis for the development of programs of study that are both compatible with the core doctoral curriculum and individualized to allow for the gaining of in-depth knowledge in a specialized area of study. The PhD in Nursing Science provides a solid foundation for graduates to pursue rigorous programs of nursing research that are clinically significant and contribute to the advancement of nursing science.
Contact Info
| Contact: | Masako Mayahara |
| Phone: | 314-362-3316 |
| Email: | masakom@wustl.edu |
| Website: | https://www.barnesjewishcollege.edu/doctoral-degree/phd-nursing-science/ |
Sarah Farabi, PhD, RN, is an Assistant Professor at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing. Dr. Farabi has expertise in measuring sleep and metabolic function and experience in behavioral lifestyle interventions, with training in community-based research and implementation science. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanisms through which poor sleep health contributes to the risk of metabolic disease (particularly diabetes) and developing equitable interventions to improve sleep health and reduce diabetes risk in pregnant and postpartum populations.
Research interests: sleep, diabetes, cardiometabolic disease, pregnancy, nurse-led interventions, implementation science
Heidi Holtz, PhD, RN, is an Assistant Professor at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing. Dr. Holtz served as a research fellow at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, collaborating with leading experts in the fields of moral resilience and moral distress within healthcare. Her research employs both empirical and qualitative methods to foster healthy work environments, support nurses' well-being, and enhance patient outcomes by developing interventions for nurses in critical care settings. Dr. Holtz’s research goals are to empower nurses by building resilience and fostering safe practice environments, addressing the critical need to recognize and alleviate the everyday trauma and stress they face.
Research interests: well-being of nurses, burnout in nursing, burnout among healthcare professionals, system-level intervention to support healthy work environments for nurses
JoAnn Jabbari, PhD, RN, is an Assistant Professor at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing. Her research program focuses on examining the dynamic relationships between loneliness and health outcomes among vulnerable populations. She has a particular interest in understanding how military experiences influence the unique healthcare and psychosocial needs of the veteran population. Her clinical experience as a nurse within the VA healthcare system, in combination with her mentorship as a Jonas Nursing Veterans Healthcare Scholar (2021-2023), have significantly influenced and guided her research. She is committed to advancing interventions that enhance the health and quality of life for veterans and other vulnerable populations, with a particular focus on psychosocial support.
Research interests: loneliness, Veterans health, social connection, psychosocial support
Masako Mayahara, PhD, RN, FAAN, FPCN, CHPN, is a Professor at Goldfarb School of Nursing and an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Palliative Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Mayahara is widely recognized as an expert in pain management, particularly within hospice and palliative care settings. Her research program focuses on improving pain management for hospice patients through the implementation of innovative technologies and delivery models. She is a past president of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association and the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation, and she currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Midwest Nursing Research Society.
Research interests: pain management, palliative care, hospice, family caregiving, digital health
Tamara Otey, PhD, RN, is an Associate Professor at Goldfarb School of Nursing, with a dual appointment as a research scientist at Missouri Baptist Medical Center. Dr. Otey's research is focused on global health and vulnerable populations. She has conducted research in Nigeria and across the midwestern United States. Dr. Otey serves as an advisor or mentor for PhD and DNP students and nurses and interprofessional clinicians with research and evidence-based practice projects.
Research interests: global health; vulnerable populations; breast cancer screening; oncology medication trials; care management of patients with congestive heart failure
Dominic Reeds, MD, is the Associate Dean for Research at Goldfarb School of Nursing and the Associate Director of Washington University’s Nutrition and Obesity Research Center and Center for Diabetes Translation Research. He is a Professor in Nutritional Science and Obesity Division at Washington University School of Medicine, and he is Director of the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Nutrition Support Service. Dr. Reeds is Director of Washington University’s KL2 program and Co-Director of the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation. His research focuses on the pathogenesis of HIV-associated diabetes and obesity.
Research interests: clinical nutrition; diabetes and metabolism; prevention, pathogenesis, and management of cardiometabolic risk factors, including obesity, hypertension, and HIV; and nurse-led implementation science programs for the management of hypertension and diabetes; global health
Po-Yin Yen, PhD, RN, is an Associate Professor at Goldfarb School of Nursing and an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of General Medical Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine Institute of Informatics, Data Science, and Biostatistics. Dr. Yen conducts applied clinical informatics research to promote a user-friendly health information technology environment for clinicians and patients. Dr. Yen's expertise in predictive modeling and machine learning bridges research to nursing practice.
Research interests: clinical informatics; usability and technology acceptance; human-computer interaction; user-centered design; mixed methods; literature mining; data visualization; workflow analysis and time and motion study
Program Director
Masako Mayahara
Professor, Goldfarb School of Nursing
Associate Professor, Division of Palliative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine
PhD, University of Illinois–Chicago
Associate Dean for Research
Dominic Reeds
Associate Dean for Research, Goldfarb School of Nursing
Associate Director, Washington University’s Nutrition and Obesity Research Center and Center for Diabetes Translation Research
Professor, Geriatrics and Nutritional Science Division, Washington University School of Medicine
Director, Barnes-Jewish Hospital Nutrition Support Service
MD, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Faculty
Sarah Farabi
Assistant Professor
PhD, University of Illinois–Chicago
Heidi Holtz
Assistant Professor
PhD, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
JoAnn Jabbari
Assistant Professor
PhD, Washington University–Goldfarb School of Nursing
Tamara Otey
Associate Professor
PhD, Indiana University
Po-Yin Yen
Associate Professor, Goldfarb School of Nursing
Associate Professor, Washington University School of Medicine, Institute for Informatics, Data Science & Biostatistics
PhD, Columbia University
NRSSCI 5010 Philosophy and Theoretical Underpinnings of Nursing Science
This course explores the evolution, assumptions, and principal themes that underpin philosophies of nursing science and their influence on knowledge development for nursing practice and nursing theory. The interrelationships among theoretical perspectives, theoretical thinking, scientific inquiry, and knowledge development in nursing will be discussed. The relationship of scientific integrity and bioethics to the scientific method will be discussed.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Summer
NRSSCI 5015 Literary Critique and Synthesis
The focus of this course is on synthesizing evidence from the published research literature to determine the state of knowledge about a selected research topic and to guide a research plan. The course emphasizes the processes of critiquing, analysis, and synthesis of existing research in order to draw useful conclusions or make decisions about the topic, problem, or research plan.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring
NRSSCI 5020 Dissemination and Implementation Science
This course focuses on dissemination and implementation research. Strategies underlying the creation, transmission, and reception of information will be explored. The goal of this course is to bridge the gap among clinical research, everyday practice, and public health by building a knowledge base to improve population health.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
NRSSCI 5025 Grant Writing and Scientific Review
This course focuses on developing and evaluating fundable research applications. Grant-writing and scientific review processes are emphasized, including identifying various types of funding mechanisms, developing successful grant applications, and reviewing research proposals. Strategies for developing high impact scientific protocols and a feasible research budget will be discussed. Opportunities to conduct peer reviews of grant applications will be provided.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
NRSSCI 5030 Interdisciplinary Science and the Innovative Nurse Scientist
This course provides an educational opportunity to understand diverse disciplines with their specific perspective in conducting research. The emphasis is placed on understanding key scientific concepts and methodologies. The goal is to connect and integrate different schools of thought and demonstrate how the disciplines of science come together in innovative ways to identify and solve scientific challenges. Preparation, training, support, challenges, and roles of the nurse scientist are also explored. Related topics include how to advance a career as a nurse scientist with a focus on building a research trajectory, obtaining funding and becoming an innovative researcher who is able to identify trends in emerging science. Discussions will focus on integrating biologic and behavioral factors to achieve translational bench-to-bedside nursing science.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
NRSSCI 5035 Mentored Research Experience I
This course is the first in a five serial mentored research course series designed to provide one-to-one mentoring for students to have hands-on research experiences and gain skills necessary to conduct interdisciplinary research. Students will be paired with a nursing mentor and a non-nursing mentor. In courses I and II, students will learn about a chosen research project led by the non-nursing mentor and work with his/her research team. In courses III and IV, under the supervision of both nursing and non-nursing mentors, students will identify a scientific challenge that is significant to nursing. Students will then develop a research plan integrating methods from a non-nursing discipline to address the challenges. In course V, students will work closely with the nursing and non-nursing mentors in developing their dissertation research proposal.
Credit 1 unit.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
NRSSCI 5040 Mentored Research Experience II
This course is the second in a five serial mentored research course series designed to provide one-to-one mentoring for students to have hands-on research experiences and gain skills necessary to conduct interdisciplinary research. Students will be paired with a nursing mentor and a non-nursing mentor. In courses I and II, students will learn about a chosen research project led by the non-nursing mentor and work with his/her research team. In courses III and IV, under the supervision of both nursing and non-nursing mentors, students will identify a scientific challenge that is significant to nursing. Students will then develop a research plan integrating methods from a non-nursing discipline to address the challenges. In course V, students will work closely with the nursing and non-nursing mentors in developing their dissertation research proposal.
Credit 1 unit.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
NRSSCI 5045 Mentored Research Experience III
This course is the third in a five serial mentored research course series designed to provide one-to-one mentoring for students to have hands-on research experiences and gain skills necessary to conduct interdisciplinary research. Students will be paired with a nursing mentor and a non-nursing mentor. In courses I and II, students will learn about a chosen research project led by the non-nursing mentor and work with his/her research team. In courses III and IV, under the supervision of both nursing and non-nursing mentors, students will identify a scientific challenge that is significant to nursing. Students will then develop a research plan integrating methods from a non-nursing discipline to address the challenges. In course V, students will work closely with the nursing and non-nursing mentors in developing their dissertation research proposal.
Credit 1 unit.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
NRSSCI 5050 Mentored Research Experience IV
This course is the fourth in a five serial mentored research course series designed to provide one-to-one mentoring for students to have hands-on research experiences and gain skills necessary to conduct interdisciplinary research. Students will be paired with a nursing mentor and a non-nursing mentor. In courses I and II, students will learn about a chosen research project led by the non-nursing mentor and work with his/her research team. In courses III and IV, under the supervision of both nursing and non-nursing mentors, students will identify a scientific challenge that is significant to nursing. Students will then develop a research plan integrating methods from a non-nursing discipline to address the challenges. In course V, students will work closely with the nursing and non-nursing mentors in developing their dissertation research proposal.
Credit 1 unit.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
NRSSCI 5055 Mentored Research Experience V
This course is the final in a five serial mentored research course series designed to provide one-to-one mentoring for students to have hands-on research experiences and gain skills necessary to conduct interdisciplinary research. Students will be paired with a nursing mentor and a non-nursing mentor. In courses I and II, students will learn about a chosen research project led by the non-nursing mentor and work with his/her research team. In courses III and IV, under the supervision of both nursing and non-nursing mentors, students will identify a scientific challenge that is significant to nursing. Students will then develop a research plan integrating methods from a non-nursing discipline to address the challenges. In course V, students will work closely with the nursing and non-nursing mentors in developing their dissertation research proposal.
Credit 1 unit.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
NRSSCI 5060 Research I: Research Designs and Measurement for Scientific Inquiry: Quantitative Methods
The goal of this course is to deepen the understanding of scientific inquiry pertaining to quantitative methods in nursing research. This course emphasizes research questions/hypotheses, frameworks, designs, methodology, and analysis. Methods of dissemination of research findings in symptom science are examined.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
NRSSCI 5065 Research II: Research Design and Measurement for Scientific Inquiry: Qualitative Methods
This is an introductory course in qualitative research with particular focus on the health sciences. The course focuses on study of traditions and methods, scientific issues, techniques of data collection, analysis and interpretation. Emphasis is given to the contribution of qualitative research in expanding nursing knowledge
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
NRSSCI 5070 Research III: Research Designs and Measurement for Scientific Inquiry: Psychometrics
This course offers information on psychometric theories. The application of these theories in constructing and evaluating measurements in nursing research is presented. Relevant course content includes statistical techniques to evaluate measurements, such as reliability and validity tests. This course also provides an introduction to the issues that arise when writing/selecting questions for the psychosocial instruments. The focus is on examining the logic of measurement in standardized survey administration and selected techniques for testing scale items.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
NRSSCI 5100 Dissertation
Original investigation research experience designed by student to prepare for completing proposed research, public defense, and publication of dissertation as based on student's substantive areas of interest and program of research.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
NRSSCI 6000 Mentored Teaching Experience
Mentored teaching experience
Credit 0 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
NRSSCI 9000 Full-Time Graduate Research/Study
Full-Time Graduate Research
Credit 0 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer